September 29, 2020
COVID-19 Seroprevalence Surveys and Antibody Decline – A Note of Caution on Antibody Decline
[Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Despite ongoing COVID-19 activity in Ontario, the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies did not change substantially (range 0.4% – 1.4% positive) between five surveys conducted from March to August 2020. Bolotin et al. analyzed residual clinical specimens and found that the geometric mean concentration of antibodies among the positive samples declined between June…
Excess Risk of COVID-19 to University Populations Resulting from In-Person Sporting Events
[Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] A modeling study using a stochastic compartmental model showed that in-person sporting events on college campuses could increase COVID-19 cases among the campus community. Even when COVID-19 cases were controlled both on-campus and among the larger population from which visitors to campus were drawn, such events presented a risk to the community….
Changes in Adult Alcohol Use and Consequences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in alcohol consumption among US adults. Survey data from the RAND Corporation American Life Panel show that on average, 3 out of 4 adults consumed alcohol 1 additional day per month in 2020 than they did in 2019. For women, there was also a 41% increase from…
Clinical Epidemiology of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Japan: Report of the COVID-19 REGISTRY JAPAN
An observational study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Japan (n=2,638) found a lower prevalence of comorbidities and a trend toward lower mortality compared to inpatient studies from other countries. Among the study participants, the most common comorbidities were hypertension (15%) and diabetes without complications (14%). In addition, there were twice as many individuals with…
Viral Presence and Immunopathology in Patients with Lethal COVID-19: A Prospective Autopsy Cohort Study
An autopsy study among 21 patients who died of COVID-19 showed widespread systemic inflammation in the lungs, heart, kidney, liver, and brain, with a continued presence of inflammatory neutrophils cells even several weeks into the disease course. The lung was the organ with the most abundant SARS-CoV-2, and extensive inflammation was detected in the brain….
Exploring the Demographics and Clinical Characteristics Related to the Expression of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, a Receptor of SARS-CoV-2
An analysis of ACE2 expression among 229 individuals indicated that participants who were female (OR=2.3), had hypertension (OR=1.3), had a cardiocerebrovascular disease (OR=1.3), had cancer (OR=1.7), or who were over 60 years old (OR=3.1) had higher levels of ACE2 expression, which is one of the cellular entry receptors for SARS-CoV-2. The authors suggest that persons…
Safety and Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 MRNA-1273 Vaccine in Older Adults
A phase 1, dose escalation trial of a messenger RNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 conducted among adults ages 56-70 (n=20) and ages 71 or older (n=20) reported generating antibody response with mild to moderate adverse events. Serum neutralizing activity was detected in all participants and was similar in magnitude to responses previously reported among participants between…
Anti-C5a Antibody IFX-1 (Vilobelimab) Treatment versus Best Supportive Care for Patients with Severe COVID-19 (PANAMO): An Exploratory, Open-Label, Phase 2 Randomised Controlled Trial
An exploratory, open-label, phase 2 randomized trial of the monoclonal antibody IFX-1 (vilobelimab) in adults with severe COVID-19 indicated that C5a inhibition with the drug appeared to be safe. Mortality estimates at 28 days were 13% for the IFX-1 group and 27% for the control group, although the authors note that this outcome is preliminary…
Epidemiological Correlates of PCR Cycle Threshold Values in the Detection of SARS-CoV-2
A study of household transmission from people with mild COVID-19 found that SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations were lowest soon after symptoms appeared and increased with time since symptom onset. Viral concentrations were higher in patients under 18 years of age (p=0.01) and those reporting upper respiratory symptoms at the time of sample collection (p=0.001), and were…
COVID-19 Literature Situation Report Sept. 29, 2020
A university in North Carolina experienced 670 cases of COVID-19 within 2 weeks of reopening, likely due to student living arrangements and gatherings both on and off campus.
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